Public housing

Appeals

How to Appeal

The Territory Housing Appeals Mechanism is a two tiered process that ensures all appeals are dealt with in a fair, consistent and transparent manner.

The Appeals process is free.

First Tier Appeals

First Tier Appeals are undertaken by the Territory Housing Complaints and Appeals  Unit  who after a full review of your matter, will put forward recommendations to the relevant Housing Manager for a decision.

Should you need the assistance of an interpreter the Complaints and Appeals Unit will provide one free.

Second Tier Appeals

Second Tier Appeals are reviewed by the Territory Housing Appeals Board, whose members are appointed by the Minister for Public and Affordable Housing.

The Appeals Board is independent from Territory Housing and their role is to see if Territory Housing decisions were fair, reasonable and made within relevant policy and legislation whilst giving consideration to your circumstances.

What can be appealed?

You can appeal most decisions made by Territory Housing which may affect you and your housing needs. Examples include:

  • cancellation of housing applications 
  • tenant debt
  • tenancy matters - transfers/rent assessment etc
  • maintenance requests – fencing and disability modifications etc
  • evictions under Section 89 and 90 of the Residential Tenancies Act.

What can’t be appealed?

Decisions that can’t be appealed include:

  • disputes between neighbours. However, you can appeal the process taken by Territory Housing investigating a disruptive tenancy complaint 
    government policy 
  • complaints about a Territory Housing staff member (these are investigated internally) 
  • where legal action is being or has been taken 
  • if a matter is reviewed by the Northern Territory Ombudsman, Anti-Discrimination Commissioner, Information Commissioners and/or the Minister for Public and Affordable Housing 
  • a decision made by the Minister for Public and Affordable Housing, or the Chief Executive Officer (Housing) not to sell, lease or otherwise dispose of properties under his/her control to a specified person or body.

What is the Appeals Process?

On receipt of your Second Tier Appeal form the Complaints and Appeals Unit will commence a through investigation into your appeal.

Once an appeal hearing date is scheduled and you will be invited to attend so that you can tell your story. You are encouraged to bring with you a family member and/or advocate. The Territory Housing Appeals Board is not a legally-based board and therefore advocates do not provide legal support to clients.

To help you with your appeal an interpreter can be provided at no cost to you.

Following the appeal, the Board will provide recommendations to the Executive Director of Territory Housing for a decision.

You will be then advised in writing of the decision and the reason for this decision. 

Further action

If you disagree with the outcome of your Second Tier Appeal, you can then pursue other avenues of review  such as the  Minister for Public and Affordable Housing, Office of the Ombudsman, Anti Discrimination Commissioner or the Information Commissioner.

Support for Indigenous tenants

The Territory Housing encourages Indigenous tenants and applicants to appeal if they are dissatisfied with a decision made that affects them. The Complaints and Appeals Unit will provide assistance with the appeals process or refer people to specific Indigenous organisations who can assist.

Fact sheets and forms

Lodge an appeal with Territory Housing fact sheet   PDF icon 71 KB
First Tier Appeal form   PDF icon 100 KB
Second Tier Appeal form   PDF icon 51 KB